Black Smoke & Power Loss: L200 Fuel System Mystery

Hey there, I had very similar issues with my 2007 Mitsubishi Galant last year. The symptoms you're describing are exactly what I experienced, especially the black smoke and excessive fuel consumption. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty fuel pressure regulator. When I finally found a reliable mechanic, they diagnosed it properly. The bad regulator was causing too much fuel to enter the combustion chamber, hence the rich mixture and black smoke. The repair involved replacing the fuel pressure regulator and cleaning the fuel injectors. It was a serious issue that needed immediate attention because it was damaging other engine components and could've led to bigger problems. The repair was straightforward once properly diagnosed, took about half a day to fix. I'd definitely get it checked soon, those symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Try to find a mechanic who specializes in Mitsubishis or at least Japanese cars. The fuel pressure regulator issue is actually pretty common in these models. Best of luck with the fix.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This really helps since it's quite similar to what I'm dealing with. I've been worried about potential damage to other parts too. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole job? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Cheers!

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! The repair cost me 250€ for replacing the fuel pressure regulator, and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since getting it fixed, my Galant's been running like a dream, no more black smoke, better fuel economy, and that annoying rich mixture error is completely gone. The best part? I haven't had a single issue pop up since the repair, which was about a year ago now. The engine runs so much smoother, starts right up in cold weather, and that horrible exhaust smell is history. My mechanic really knew his stuff with these Japanese cars. If you're still looking, I'd definitely recommend getting it sorted ASAP, it's amazing how much better the car runs when everything's properly balanced. Plus, you'll probably save money on fuel in the long run! Let me know how it goes with yours!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, you were spot on! It was indeed the fuel pressure regulator causing all the drama. Ended up paying about 280€ for the whole job, just a bit more than what you paid, but totally worth it. The difference is like night and day! No more black smoke, and the engine's purring like a kitten now. The mechanic also gave everything a good clean while he was at it. Can't believe how much better she's running, starts up instantly even in this cold weather we're having. Fuel consumption's already looking way better too. Should've done this weeks ago instead of worrying about it! Really appreciate your help in pointing me in the right direction. You saved me from a lot more headaches (and probably a lot more money in the long run)! Cheers!